Cape Town seeks volunteers for Water Management Plan

CITY OF CAPE TOWN     10 FEBRUARY 2018    MEDIA RELEASE

City seeks volunteers for water management plan

The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre is reaching out to community based organisations for assistance to help avoid a situation where taps run dry, but also to volunteer their services should Day Zero arrive. Read more below:

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) is shoring up its defences as part of its integrated water emergency management plan.

The DRMC is preparing for the arrangements to manage and coordinate points of water distribution across the city, in the event that dam levels reach the point where the City is forced to switch off the taps. Part of the plan is to identify organisations and residents that are willing to volunteer.

Mass information sessions with Neighbourhood Watch Groups, non-governmental and community organisations as well as religious groups are underway to brief them on the Critical Water Shortages Disaster Plan and to appeal for volunteers to assist the DRMC. A session with Neighbourhood Watch groups was held today, Saturday 10 February 2018.

‘The volunteer plan has two aspects; to mobilise organisations to help us spread the message about the importance of using water sparingly, in line with the Level 6B water restrictions, but also to rally for assistance should we get to a point where we need to roll out water collection points. This will be a mammoth undertaking and we will need as many hands on deck as possible, ensuring that it is done in a manner that is well coordinated and everyone knowing what is expected of them,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman  JP Smith.

Community organisations are being asked to:

• Assist with education and awareness (driving saving messaging);
• Day Zero preparations by identifying the most vulnerable in communities and providing assistance
• Sharing useful information and links e.g. websites and social networks
• Identify and liaise with other organisations at a neighbourhood level (religious bodies, schools, old age homes, shelters and crèches) around water saving information and contingency plans

The Disaster Risk Management Centre is also recruiting volunteers who can assist at water collection points and caring for the most vulnerable. Duties at collection points would include:

• Helping to set up water collection points and dispensing water
• Cleaning/disinfecting water dispenser pipes;
• Marshalling queues and assisting vulnerable individuals and groups
• Assist City Officials with logistic arrangements on site

‘These information sessions are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to mobilise the whole of society to help us survive the greatest crisis this city has every faced. Day Zero has been pushed out to mid-May, but we still have to prepare meticulously for the worst. Our efforts will not be wasted, even if Day Zero is avoided. It builds resilience and responsiveness in the face of any kind of threat in the future,’ added Alderman Smith.

Organisations who want to volunteer their services will be required to complete a simple registration process. The forms can be obtained by emailing dayzero.neighbourhoodwatch@capetown.gov.za